Multiple Choice
Identify the
letter of the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
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The two great points of difference between a democracy
and a republic are: first, the delegation of the government, in the latter, to a small number of
citizens elected by the rest; secondly, the greater number of citizens, and greater sphere of
country, over which the latter may be extended.
The effect
of the first difference is . . . to refine and enlarge the public views, by passing them through the
medium of a chosen body of citizens, whose wisdom may best discern the true interest of their
country, and whose patriotism and love of justice will be least likely to sacrifice it to temporary
or partial considerations. . . . | |
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1.
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This discussion of democracies and republics is a
quotation from The Federalist, No, 10, written by _____.a. | Thomas
Jefferson | c. | Alexander
Hamilton | b. | John Jay | d. | James Madison | | | | |
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2.
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The
president can check Congress through a. | voting down. | c. | overriding. | b. | lobbying. | d. | vetoing. | | | | |
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3.
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How many
states did Congress need to pass a law? a. | 3 states | c. | 9 states | b. | 7 states | d. | 13 states | | | | |
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Article V
The
Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose _____ to this
Constitution; or, on the application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall
call a Convention, for proposing _____; which, in either case, shall be valid, to all intents and
purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislature of three fourths of the
several States, or by conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of
ratification may be proposed by the Congress . . . | |
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4.
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Which word best fill in the blanks for this
excerpt from the Constitution?a. | changes | c. | by-laws | b. | amendments | d. | new
interpretations | | | | |
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5.
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What type of
legislatures did most states establish? a. | monarchy | c. | bicameral | b. | multi-house | d. | single-house | | | | |
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6.
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Under the
federal system, the final authority is the a. | president. | c. | Constitution. | b. | court
system. | d. | states. | | | | |
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7.
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Which state
was the first to approve the Constitution? a. | Delaware | c. | New York | b. | Rhode Island | d. | Pennsylvania | | | | |
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The smaller the society, the fewer probably will be the
distinct parties and interests composing it. . . . Extend the sphere and you take in a greater
variety of parties and interests; you make it less probable that a majority of the whole will have a
common motive to invade the rights of other citizens; or if such a common motive exists, it will be
more difficult for all who feel it to discover their own strength and to act in unison with each
other. . . .
Publius (James Madison), Federalist Paper Number
10, November 23, 1787 | |
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8.
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In this passage, James Madison states that the larger
the society, the _____ probable it is that the _____ of the citizens will find a reason to violate
the rights of other citizens.a. | less, minority | c. | less, majority | b. | more,
majority | d. | more,
minority | | | | |
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9.
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The Articles
of Confederation had to be approved by a. | 7 states. | c. | 11 states. | b. | 13 states. | d. | 9 states. | | | | |
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Article II
Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom and independence,
and every Power, Jurisdiction and right, which is not . . . expressly delegated to the United States,
in Congress assembled.
Article
III
The said states hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with
each other, for their common defence, the security of their Liberties, and their mutual and general
welfare, binding themselves to assist each other, against all force offered to, or attacks made upon
them, or any of them, on account of religion, sovereignty, trade, or any other pretence
whatsoever. | |
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10.
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This description of the firm league of
friendship of states is a quotation from_____.a. | the Constitution
of the Republic | c. | the Articles of
Association | b. | the Articles of Confederation | d. | the Declaration of Federation | | | | |
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Article V
For the more convenient management of the general
interests of the united states, delegates shall be annually appointed in such manner as the
legislature of each state shall direct, to meet in Congress on the first Monday in November, in every
year, with a power reserved to each state, to recall its delegates, or any of them, at any time
within the year, and to send others in their stead, for the remainder of the
Year.
No state
shall be represented in Congress by less than two, nor by more than seven Members; and no person
shall be capable of being a delegate for more than three years in any term of six years; . .
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from the Articles of Confederation | |
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11.
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According to the Articles of Confederation, who
appointed how many delegates to Congress from each state?a. | The citizens of
each state voted to appoint three delegates to Congress every three years. | b. | The governor of
each state appointed two delegates to Congress. | c. | The legislature
of each state appointed from two to seven delegates to Congress. | d. | The chief
justice of each states supreme court appointed two delegates every three
years. | | |
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The Americans, almost to a man, believed that God Almighty had made that river a
highway for the people of the upper country to go to sea by.
John Jay,
in the 1780s | |
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12.
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The attitude of the Southern states to use of
that river in this quotation troubled relations between the United States and Spain.
Which river was it? a. | the Delaware | c. | the Missouri | b. | the
Ohio | d. | the
Mississippi | | | | |
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The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the
United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with
the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected as follows . . .
Article II, Section 1 (ratified 1790) | |
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13.
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This excerpt shows that the Constitution differed from
the Articles of Confederation in which way?a. | The Constitution said each state got only one vote in
Congress. | b. | The Constitution said Congress could regulate
trade. | c. | The Constitution provided for a chief
executive. | d. | The Constitution said Congress had to ask state legislatures to
raise money. | | |
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14.
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What is the
most distinctive feature of the United States government? a. | federal
system | c. | executive
branch | b. | separation of powers | d. | vetoing power | | | | |
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15.
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The book of
essays explaining and supporting the Constitution was called a. | The Federalist
Papers. | c. | the Bill of
Rights. | b. | The Antifederalist. | d. | The Spirit of Laws. | | | | |
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16.
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Which state
was one of two that kept its colonial charter as its constitution? a. | Georgia | c. | Rhode
Island | b. | New York | d. | Maryland | | | | |
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[E]very man has a property in his own person. This nobody
has any right to but himself.
The Second Treatise of Government,
1690 | |
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17.
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The English philosopher John Locke is stating in this
excerpt his belief in _____.a. | the natural rights of people | c. | each persons right to own
property | b. | freedom of choice | d. | the right to trade slaves | | | | |
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18.
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The movement
that influenced the Constitution's architects was the a. | Reason
Era. | c. | Age of
Science. | b. | Ideas Period. | d. | Enlightenment. | | | | |
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Article
I.
No person,
demeaning himself in a peaceable and orderly manner, shall ever be molested on account of his mode of
worship.
Article
II.
The
inhabitants . . . shall always be entitled to the benefits of the writ of habeas corpus, and
of the trial by jury; of a proportionate representation of the people in the legislature, and of
judicial proceedings according to the course of common law. . . .
Article
III.
Religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary to good government and the
happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged. The utmost good
faith shall always be observed towards the Indians. . . . | |
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19.
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These articles from the Northwest Ordinance function
as a part of a _____ for settlers in the Northwest Territory.a. | plan of
government | c. | land
system | b. | bill of rights | d. | state legislature | | | | |
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II. Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that no man shall be compelled
to frequent or support any religious worship, place or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced,
restrained, molested, or burthened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer on account of his
religious opinions or belief; but that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain,
their opinion in matters of religion, and that the same shall in no wise diminish, enlarge or affect
their civil capacities. | |
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20.
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This statement about freedom of religion was made in
1779 as part of the _____.a. | Declaration of Independence | c. | Articles of Confederation | b. | Virginia Statute
for Religious Freedom | d. | Bill of
Rights | | | | |
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21.
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What were
supporters of the new Constitution called? a. | Federalists | c. | Antifederalists | b. | Nationalists | d. | Jeffersonians | | | | |
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22.
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What keeps
any one branch of government from gaining too much power? a. | voting on a
bill | c. | vetoing | b. | the executive branch | d. | checks and balances | | | | |
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23.
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The division
of powers between the national government and the states is a a. | local
system. | c. | federal
system. | b. | feudal system. | d. | national system. | | | | |
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24.
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What law
helped stop the spread of slavery to the West? a. | Ordinance of 1785 | c. | Northwest Ordinance | b. | Mississippi
Ordinance | d. | Territory
Ordinance | | | | |
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Article III
Religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary to good
government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be
encouraged. The utmost good faith shall always be observed towards the Indians. . .
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Article
IV
The said
territory, and the States which may be formed therein, shall forever remain a part of . . . the
United States of America. . . .
Article
V
. . .
whenever any of the said States shall have sixty thousand free inhabitants therein, such State shall
be admitted, by its delegates, into the Congress of the United States, on an equal footing with the
original States, in all respects whatever; and shall be at liberty to form a permanent constitution
and State government: Provided, The constitution and government, so to be formed, shall be
republican. . . .
Article
VI
There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in the said territory.
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25.
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Which Article from this excerpt of the Northwest
Ordinance represented a new step by the United States government?a. | Article
III | c. | Article
V | b. | Article
IV | d. | Article
VI | | | | |
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The best commentary on the principles of government which was ever
written.
Thomas Jefferson | |
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26.
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Originally published as a series of essays in
newspapers around the country, as this quotation indicates, _____ were highly praised and widely
read.a. | Two Treatises
of Civil Government | c. | The Spirit of
the Laws | b. | The Federalist Papers | d. | The American Crises | | | | |
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27.
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A period
when economic activity slows and unemployment increases is called a. | inflation. | c. | a
slowdown. | b. | depression. | d. | a deficit. | | | | |
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28.
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A government
in which citizens rule through elected representatives is called a a. | monarchy. | c. | theocracy. | b. | republic. | d. | sovereignty. | | | | |
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29.
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Who was the
presiding officer at the Constitutional Convention? a. | Thomas
Jefferson | c. | John
Adams | b. | George Washington | d. | Benjamin Franklin | | | | |
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30.
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Who
suggested the Great Compromise? a. | Roger Sherman | c. | John Adams | b. | James Madison | d. | John Locke | | | | |
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31.
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What law
helped stop the spread of slavery to the West? a. | Ordinance of 1785 | c. | Northwest Ordinance | b. | Confederation
Law | d. | Morris
Ordinance | | | | |
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I consent to this Constitution because I expect no better
and because I am not sure, that it is not the best.
at the
Constitutional Convention, September 17, 1787 | |
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32.
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In this sentence Benjamin Franklin says that he
approves of the Constitution because he thinks that it is _____.a. | the perfect
solution for the United States government | b. | just an acceptable idea for the new
nation | c. | a very good effort to form a national
government | d. | the only plan that might work for the United States
government | | |
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Article V
For the
more convenient management of the general interests of the united states, delegates shall be annually
appointed in such manner as the legislature of each state shall direct, to meet in Congress on the
first Monday in November, in every year, with a power reserved to each state, to recall its
delegates, or any of them, at any time within the year, and to send others in their stead, for the
remainder of the Year. . . .
The Articles of
Confederation | |
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33.
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Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation in
_____.a. | July
1776 | c. | November
1777 | b. | January
1777 | d. | December
1778 | | | | |
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There is no declaration of rights: and the laws of the general government being
paramount to the laws and constitutions of the several states, the declarations of rights, in the
separate states, are no security. Nor are the people secured even in the enjoyment of the benefit of
the common law, which stands here upon no other foundation than its having been adopted by the
respective acts forming the constitutions of the several states. | |
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34.
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Which statement best describes the reasons given in
this passage by George Mason for his opposition to the Constitution?a. | Slavery has not
been prohibited and the laws of states are equal in force to those made by the general
government. | b. | No state constitutions have been taken into account and trade
regulation has been granted to the general government. | c. | No listing of
rights is included and the laws of the general government overrule those made by the
states, | d. | A declaration of rights has been included, but does not cover
the general governments powers of enforcement. | | |
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35.
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What was
America's first constitution called? a. | American Constitution | c. | Bill of Rights | b. | Articles of
Confederation | d. | Republic
Plan | | | | |
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Completion
Complete each sentence or
statement.
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36.
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Control and
use of the ____________________ River was a major issue between the United States and Spain in the
1780s.
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37.
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Farmers in
western ____________________ led Shays's Rebellion in 1787.
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38.
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Under the
United States Constitution, the president and vice president are elected indirectly by a special
group called the ____________________.
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39.
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When the
United States Constitution was complete, three delegates refused to sign it because it did not have a
____________________.
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40.
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The
____________________ divided lands in the West north of the Ohio River into townships six miles long
and six miles wide.
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41.
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Under the
Confederation, many states avoided a concentration of government power by establishing a
____________________ legislature.
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42.
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The
Constitutional Convention agreed that Congress would not interfere with the ____________________
until 1808.
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43.
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The United
States Constitution's system of _________________________ ensures that no one branch of the federal
government can become too powerful.
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44.
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Two
important British documents, the ____________________ and the English Bill of Rights, influenced the
Framers of the United States Constitution.
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45.
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The central
government authority under the Articles of Confederation was the ____________________.
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46.
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The
government of the Confederation could not pay its debts because it lacked the power to
____________________ the states or American citizens.
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47.
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The Articles
of Confederation governed the United States from 1781 through ____________________.
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Matching
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Match
each item with the correct statement below. a. | Electoral College | d. | Bill of Rights | b. | Shays's
Rebellion | e. | Great
Compromise | c. | created the Confederation Congress | | | | |
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48.
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movement of
angry farmers
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49.
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protects
individual rights
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50.
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presidential
electors
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51.
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product of
"grand committee"
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52.
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Articles of
Confederation
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Match
each item with the correct statement below. a. | Edmund Randolph | d. | John Locke | b. | legislative branch | e. | judicial branch | c. | America's first
constitution | | | | |
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53.
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lawmaking
branch of government
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54.
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introduced
the Virginia Plan
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55.
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Enlightenment thinker and writer
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56.
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Articles of
Confederation
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57.
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court
system
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Short Answer
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58.
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| Use the checks
and balances graphic organizer to answer the question. Which branch of the federal government has the
power to reject the appointment of judges? | | |
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. . . Under their own construction of the general clause at the end of the
enumerated powers, the Congress may grant monopolies in trade and commerce, constitute new crimes,
inflict unusual and severe punishments, and extend their power as far as they shall think proper; so
that the state legislatures have no security for the powers now presumed to remain to them; or the
people for their rights. There is no declaration of any kind for preserving the liberty of the press,
the trial by jury in civil cases, nor against the danger of standing armies in time of peace. . .
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59.
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| What objections
to the Constitution, as it was written and discussed in 1787, does George Mason point out in this
excerpt from one of his pamphlets? | | |
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60.
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| Other than those states
with zero enslaved African Americans, how many enslaved African Americans lived in the two states
with the fewest enslaved people? | | |
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61.
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| How many enslaved
African Americans lived in the two states with the most enslaved people? | | |
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62.
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| Other than those states
with zero enslaved African Americans, which two states had the biggest difference in the number of
enslaved people living within their borders? | | |
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63.
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| Other than those states
with zero enslaved African Americans, which state had the fewest enslaved people? How
many? | | |
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64.
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| Which state had the
most enslaved African Americans? How many? | | |
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65.
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| Which two states had
the closest number of enslaved people? | | |
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We have struggled for liberty and made costly sacrifices . . . and there are
still many among us who [value liberty] too much to relinquish . . . the rights of man for the
dignity of government.
Mercy Otis Warren | |
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66.
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| In her
opposition to ratification of the Constitution why does Warren stress the cost of liberty in this
quotation? | | |
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Essay
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67.
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What caused
the financial crisis after the Revolutionary War?
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68.
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How did the
states limit the powers of the central government under the Articles of Confederation?
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Surely your honours are not strangers to the distresses [problems] of the people
but . . . know that many of our good inhabitants are now confined in [jail] for debt and
taxes.
letter
from farmers to Massachusetts state officials, 1780s | |
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69.
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| Why were many
Americans frightened by the effects of the postRevolutionary War economic depression on
farmers? | | |
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70.
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What are the
three branches of government? Describe each branch's responsibilities.
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71.
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What were
the differences between the North and the South over slavery?
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72.
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What was the
Three-Fifths Compromise?
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73.
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Which type
of settler would have been more likely to move to the Northwest Territory in 1788, a small farmer
from New Jersey or a large plantation owner from South Carolina? Why?
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